If you are a Husker football fan, then you probably know Fan Day, and the 1890 Big Red Preview open practice occurred last Saturday. Living out of town and not wanting to get in the way of young Husker fans getting an autograph, I skipped Fan Day. However, I did attend the open practice. I know, several of you will say, “Why? There’s nothing to see, it’s just practice.” But if you’re a true football guy like I am, you jump at the chance to watch. I’d attend every practice all year long given the opportunity. It appears there are at least 2,500 other fans that felt the same way, as that was the estimated attendance for this year’s event.
I look at practice like this, when talking about writing, Stepehen King says, “Don’t tell me, show me.” It’s the same with football. There is a big difference between hearing Matt Rhule say, “The defensive line is going to be Hell on Wheels,” or “Our offensive line is going to be good,” and then watching players that not only makes you believe it but feel it.
Besides it was a perfect evening for football with almost fall like temperatures. I would have loved to have taken a camera and popped a few photos for my website, but there was a request made that no photos or videos be taken during the practice. So, it explains why you get a whole lot of vanilla and no toppings during these open practices. There weren’t any intricate passing routes or blitz packages and there weren’t any offensive or defensive alignments that made you ask, “What was that?”
But there was plenty of action that made the spectators “ooh and aww.” And it was easy to identify the guys that have spent extra time in the weight room and see the ones who are giving that little something extra. Jacory Barney was one guy who showed the fire and passion that can get every Husker fan excited.
This was the first practice in full pads and I’m going to admit I spent most of my time watching the offensive and defensive lines. If the Husker are going to have the type of season we are hoping for it’s going to start in the trenches. I know it sounds cliché, but it’s only cliché because it’s true.
When doing team work the first-string offensive line was Elijah Pritchett at left tackle, Henry Lutovsky at left guard, Justin Evans at center, Roco Spindler at right guard and Teddy Prochazaka at right tackle. The second unit was Gunnar Gottula at left tackle, Jason Maciejczak at left guard, Sam Sledge at center, Gibson Pyle at right guard, and Tyler Knaak at right tackle. To Dana Holgorsen’s comment last week, the first ten guys look more than capable. I especially enjoyed watching the offensive line and defensive line working one on one in later drills. You got a good feeling for where things stand, and I thought the offensive line got the better end of things most of the practice.
As for the starting defensive line, it was Elijah Jeudy, Cam Lenhardt and Keona Davis when showing a three-man front. Starting linebackers were Marques Watson-Trent, Desean McCullough, and Javin Wright. When showing a four-man front the Jack linebacker played in a down position. Riley Van Poppel, Vincent Shavers, Willis McGahee and Jacob Bower rotated in and shared equal time with the starters. Starting cornerbacks were Andrew Marshall, and Ceyair Wright. Marques Buford and Malcolm Hartzog were at the safety positions and Deshon Singlton started at rover.
I know I get tired of hearing it, and I’m sure you do too, but the battle between the wide receivers and the defensive backs is truly a case of ‘iron sharpens iron’. We saw it Saturday night as they went back and forth with neither group backing down. We saw a fight break out between Kamir Prescott and Jeremiah Jones. All the wide receivers and defensive backs got involved and before it was over they were all doing up-downs. While I understand players need to be disciplined, I personally love seeing that kind of fire and intensity in practice.
Even with Dane Key in a yellow jersey, and Demetrius Bell out, we saw plenty of action from Jacory Barney, Nyziah Hunter, Cortez Mills, Quinn Clark, and Keelan Smith. There is good competition at wide receiver. Clark and Smith had impressive evenings, with Clark going high for a catch and Smith showing some double moves that left DB’s behind. Daikiel Shorts has made a difference as the wide receiver’s coach. Players are more physical and aggressive both in route running and blocking.
Running back Emmett Johnson is the clear number one followed by Mekhi Nelson, Isiah Mozee, and Coner Booth. All four looked like they could carry the load if needed. Vincent Genatone and Kenneth Williams also performed well. I’ve heard negative comments about the competition Coner Booth played against in high school, but he belongs, he’s a division one running back. Kwinton Ives was in a yellow jersey recovering from a hamstring injury.
I wasn’t sure what to think about the tight ends going into the season. I like Luke Lindenmeyer and what he offers. But until I saw both Heinrich Haarberg and Carter Nelson, I wasn’t sure how deep Nebraska was at the position. I feel better after seeing them both in practice. Nelson looked fully recovered from hip surgery and ready to go. Cayden Echternach, Danny King, and Eric Ingwerson all moved well and add good depth and size.
Finally, at quarterback Dylan Raiola appears ready to have a productive season as he moved and threw the ball well. I do not foresee a sophomore slump at all and anticipate he’ll improve on all his numbers from last season. Jayln Gramstad looked solid and gave the impression he could lead this team if needed. I really liked how true freshman TJ Lateef moved and spun the ball. The quarterback room is a far cry from what fans had to endure in 2023 and I feel good about where this team is at.
We also got to watch the place kickers as all three Triston Alvano, John Hohl, and Kyle Cunanan kicked field goals. Nobody missed a kick, but just watching, I’d rank Cunanan as the favorite for now. Several of us got our first glimpse of punter Archie Wilson as well. Again, things were pretty vanilla, but from what I saw, he’s everything advertised. He kicked with both his left and right foot, his kicks were high, and all landed within the ten-yard line. It appeared he also had good control of the spin, spiral or twist that he wanted to put on the ball. It’ll be a fun season to watch special teams with Mike Ekeler leading this group.
As long as 1890 puts on the Big Red Preview, I’ll attend. It’s a great time to be a Husker fan.
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